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Physical Education

Hurdles and Barriers

Overview

Students run over a series of low barriers, developing a consistent stride pattern and lead leg technique.

Learning Objective
Students develop rhythm and technique for running over low barriers.

Resources needed

  • Low barriers — sticks laid across two stones, or lines drawn on the ground
  • 30–40 metre outdoor space

Lesson stages

0 / 7 done
  1. 1 Set 5 barriers at very low height (ankle level) spaced 5 metres apart.
  2. 2 Walk through the course first, stepping over each barrier.
  3. 3 Run through at half speed — focus on not breaking stride.
  4. 4 Identify the lead leg: the leg that goes over first every time.
  5. 5 Run through at full speed — aim for a consistent rhythm.
  6. 6 Raise the barriers slightly when rhythm is established.
  7. 7 Count strides between barriers — aim for the same number each time.

Tap a step to mark it as done.

Variations

  • Change the spacing between barriers.
  • Add a sprint of 10 metres after the final barrier.
  • Pairs count each other's strides and give feedback.
More information

Teach: lead leg, trail leg, stride, rhythm, barrier, consistent. Demonstrate the lead leg concept clearly — one leg always goes first.

Keep barriers very low or just use lines drawn on the ground. The stride rhythm is the skill — height is secondary.

Is the student using the same lead leg consistently? Is the stride pattern regular between barriers?

Lay sticks across two small stones to make free, safe barriers. Lines drawn in soil work just as well for developing stride rhythm.

Students try to jump over barriers rather than stride over them. Teach that a hurdle is a long stride, not a jump — keep the body low and continuous.

Hurdles develop rhythm, coordination, and running technique. The lead leg and stride count concepts directly improve sprint speed even without barriers.

Activity details
Primary Challenging 25 minutes 10 minutes prep Whole Class, Small Group Outdoor
Topics
Hurdles Athletics Rhythm